In the fall of 2014, while on a road trip down to play a show in Beaumont, TX with his friend Wes, Richard Gober posed the question, "Why not a Widespread Panic Tribute Band?" His friend, who is a member of a Phish tribute said, "why not?" With Wes' encouragement, Richard burned up the phone and Facebook recruiting players, some of whom he probably had no business asking. On October 21, 2014, Panic Stricken was born at Cascade Studios in Austin, TX. On February 21, 2015, a 4 piece pilot version of the band played its first show in San Marcos. The first full band show on March 28, 2015 at the Thirsty Planet Brewery. The love and embrace by Central Texas Panic fans has been strong from day one! We look forward to taking care of the good people for a long time to come. Thank you very much!

CJ Edwards (also affectionately known as Shorti C)grew up knowing music would be his life long passion. He began leading hymnals at the congregation his father was minister to in Austin, Tx. He gained an affinity for literature, performance, and the arts being the youngest son of his mother an educator in Austin as well. Throughout school he participated in music programs. He recorded and toured first with a 12 piece vocal Gospel/Jazz ensemble by the name of Testimony in college. Upon return he continued his career by being one of the founding members of SouthSydeSide, a hip-hop oriented collection of emcee's, vocalist ,and music producers. Working alongside DJ Protege he began to master his skill at recording in the studio. From there he became a founding member of the group Diasporic, a Funk/Hip-Hop/Rock/Jazz fusion ensemble. They released 3 eps and one full length album to much critical acclaim by fans and peers. Since that point he has performed in countless festivals, stages, and with some of the best talent you could imagine.

Afrofreque’s music is soulful hip-hop, sprinkled with funk, afrobeat and reggae. The grooves are funky and the lyrics are positive and conscious, reflecting hip-hop culture, social issues and just plain having fun. Afrofreque is known not only for their for their tightly arranged hip hop and soul compositions, but also for their high energy live performances and and tasty live improvs.

The group, headed by MC Tigre Liu, is an experienced and talented bunch. Band members are/have been integral parts of other bands such as The Killer Bees, Big Game Hunter, Dirty Wormz, Patrice Pike, David Garza, Laura Scarborough, Raggamassive, Futurelight Sound System, Pressure, and Shantytown Underground.

Once again we roll up our sleeves and get ready to celebrate the independence of our fine nation with live music, free hot dogs, whole hog roasting, ice cold beer, hot dog eating contest and damn fine cocktails. NO COVER

Afrofreque @ 4:30pmMamafesta @ 3:00pmDJ Dug Fresh, Drop and DJ Capt America will be spinning all vinyl rock, soul, funk, afro and reggae starting at 2pm and in between sets.

Our great friend Joshua Jones who runs our Guest Sous program on first Monday's will be cooking up a whole hog with all the trimmings for $10 a plate. You don't want to miss what this guy can do w/ hog.

As always we will also have complimentary Vienna Beef hot dogs with plenty of condiments and Lay's potato chips. (We might judge you for putting ketchup on a hot dog though. That's just un-American)

So many hot dogs in fact that we will host another Hot Dog Eating Contest. Prizes include Half Step GC's and a swell pat on the back.

The fans and misters will be going full blast and the shade is just perfect in the backyard now. Come join us and wear your best Red, White and Blue!!

Gordie Johnson and his Rasta brethren churn out their unique blend of roots-rock-reggae with double neck guitars and dreadlocks flying through the air. BIG SUGAR continues to live up their reputation for thundering live performances spiced with epic dub excursions that keep crowds grooving. BIG SUGAR’S style has even inspired other notable artists, including THE BLACK CROWES, GOV’T MULE and countless young “up and comers”. Calling All The Youth tops a platinum recording career that spans over 20 years, including their recent releases Revolution Per Minute, Yardstyle and the concert dvd Eliminate Ya! Live as well as a collaborations with Reggae legends WILLI WILLIAMS and DENNIS ALCAPONE. Following European tours, a German TV appearance on Rockpalast and a sold -out national acoustic tour, 2015 brings BIG SUGAR, fully electric across Canada, including a direct support date with the legendary AC/DC.

“Before indie-blues duo The Black Keys were winning Grammys, and Jack White’s Dead Weather supergroup reclaimed swamp-rock riffs for the iGeneration, a little band from Toronto called Big Sugar conquered grunge and the charts with a Zepplin heavy mix of blues and reggae.” -Eye Weekly

The D Madness project brings to Half Step a blend of evocative R&B and futuristic funk, which encapsulates his local legacy. From soul to jazz to funk to reggae to hip-hop to love ballads, inspirational songs, reggae tunes and hip hop flows. D's Project houses the sickest bass lines and guitar riffs.

It is that time again! This Monday we are featuring James Durham of Salt & Time Butcher Shop. He will be creating four courses that inspire him. We will be getting started at 8 PM, and serving until we run out. Plates are $5 each, cash only, with drink specials via the bar as well. We can't wait to see you all there!

Gordie Johnson combines the haunting sounds the Steel Guitar with the sub-sonic electronica of the MOOG Synthesizer in a collaboration with Latin music genius Rey Arteaga ( congas ). Together with Carmelo Torres ( Timbales ) and Scott MacIntosh ( sax ) they explore the sounds of Dub Reggae, Cumbia, Son, Samba, Soul and Jazz. Listeners ( and dancers ) are often surprised to hear repertoire ranging from The Police and Earth Wind & Fire to classic jazz standards. SDS have even blended their low-end bump with rapper Bushwick Bill ( Geto Boyz ). “Gordie Johnson understands an uncanny amount of musical genres and is adept at all of them, ” says guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani who has taken SDS around the globe from the Olympia in Paris to the State Theater in Sydney Australia and across North America.

Time to get excited for the Mother of all boils. Please come join us as we welcome our pals all the way from Alabama for an unforgettable afternoon of gettin' messy. Crawfish, drink specials, killer live music and our bright shining faces. Hope to see y'all there!!

Gordie Johnson combines the haunting sounds the Steel Guitar with the sub-sonic electronica of the MOOG Synthesizer in a collaboration with Latin music genius Rey Arteaga ( congas ). Together with Carmelo Torres ( Timbales ) and Scott MacIntosh ( sax ) they explore the sounds of Dub Reggae, Cumbia, Son, Samba, Soul and Jazz. Listeners ( and dancers ) are often surprised to hear repertoire ranging from The Police and Earth Wind & Fire to classic jazz standards. SDS have even blended their low-end bump with rapper Bushwick Bill ( Geto Boyz ). “Gordie Johnson understands an uncanny amount of musical genres and is adept at all of them, ” says guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani who has taken SDS around the globe from the Olympia in Paris to the State Theater in Sydney Australia and across North America.